GEN US PK< )CELSTERNA (Lafresnaye). 



rii\\t» Bmftll Terns * prise thia genus, which is allied to the members of the genus Anous, from which. 



' in some few minor particulars, they differ. Gould applied the specific term Cinrreus to the 

 following species of the genus, hut the Bame term having been previously used by Neboux, Bonaparte 

 repla I it by Albwitta, which has been adopted by Gould. 



P ROC EL STERNA ALBIVITTA. 



GREY NODDY. Genus: Procelsterna. 



MllllS is our of tlic smallest of the Noddies and is in every particular a true Anous, and in habits, 

 1 manners, and general mode of life resembles the other members of the family. 



Ahoiit some of the guano islands in the South Pacific Ocean this species is fairly numerous, but 

 doe- not breed in those places, the eastern and north-eastern coasts of Australia, and Norfolk Island, 

 .ue do tbtlesa the oiosi favoured localities in this respect, although no nurseries have been discovered. 



I Iccasionally following in the wake of ships, this Noddy may be captured in the same manner as 

 other ocean birds, hut in general is rather timid and is somewhat chary of taking a hait affixed to a 



1 k. In picking Up any floating substance it settles on the water in a very deliberate manner, and by 



the silence it maintains contrasts markedly with the other birds by which it may be surrounded, as 

 these usually keep up a continuous clattering and croaking as they alight on the surface to seize any 

 foi >d. 



The egg is of a pale cream colour, dashed with Notches of dark brown and dull red at irregular 

 intervals, and is considered excellent eating. 



Head. neck, and all the under surface, silvery greyish-white: back, wings and tail a rich 



grey ; secondaries, tipped with white ; bill, dark brown ; tarsi and toes, dark brown ; interdigital membrane, 

 height yellow. 



rota] length, II inches; bill, ll inch: wing, 8 inches: tail, o inches; tarsi, l£ inch; middle 

 toe and nail, L| inch. 



Habitats: Torres Straits and the eastern coast of Australia; also Norfolk Island and the 



islands of the Phoenix Group, lying between the Equator and 10° south latitude. 



